麻豆社

The front legs of marine turtles have radically altered and turned into oar-like flippers. Marine turtles are so at home in the sea that they even mate while swimming, with the male clinging on to the female's shell with special hooks on his flippers. But hanging on to a female can be difficult when a rival appears. The male's armour protects most of his body but his rear flippers are exposed, and they鈥檙e soft, and vulnerable, so perfect for the rival to bite at. Even though it probably hurts, there is little that the male can do about it. If he lets go, he will lose the female. So the male holds on and the rival tries to bite the front flipper instead. And then another rival turns up and the two join forces and attack the male from both sides. There is nothing he can do but grin and bear it. Then many more arrive, doing everything they can to stop the couple from getting to the surface and getting air. Eventually, however, the female swims free of the mob - with her mate still clinging on - and they reach the surface for a much needed breath of air. One by one, the gang of rivals give up.